# NTSB NYC97LA181: Boeing Stearman PT-17, N64604, Geneseo, NY, September 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1997, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Geneseo, NY - Coordinates: 42.789623, -77.809509 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7896&lon=-77.8095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 17, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39431/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA181 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) Both airplanes departed the same airport at approximately 1300 Eastern Daylight Time, and flew to the same destination. Both pilots were using hand held radios, which were ineffective above idle RPM. One pilot landed on Runway 23, and the other pilot landed on Runway 5. During the landing rollout, the pilots attempted to avoid a collision, but the left wing of each airplane collided. Both pilots reported the winds to be calm. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On September 14, 1997, about 1400 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), a Boeing Stearman PT-17, N64604, and a Fairchild PT-19, N49830, collided during the landing rollout at the Geneseo Airport, Geneseo, New York. Both airplanes, owned and operated by The National Warplane Museum, were substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot of each airplane was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and both flights originated at Elmira, New York, about 1300 EDT. No flight plan had been filed for either flight, and both flights were conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot of the PT-19 said: "...The wind sock showed the wind to be negligible, so after crossing the airport , I entered a downwind for a right hand approach to runway 23. As I flew my base leg and final approach, I did not see any other aircraft...[I] touched down about a quarter of the way down the runway. On rollout...I suddenly spotted the PT-17 in front of me. I punched the right rudder to swing out of the way, but during the turn, the aircraft collided, damaging the left wings of both planes." In a written statement, the pilot of the PT-17 said: "...I observed the winds to be close to calm. I selected runway 5, made a standard approach. On rollout I collided with the PT-19, which upon review had landed on runway 23." Neither airplane was equipped with two way radio communication. The pilots were using hand held radios, which were ineffective above idle RPM. The winds were reported at an airport approximately twenty miles away to be from 280 degrees at five knots. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N64604](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64604), registered now, S/N 75-6811 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman PT-17 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-6811 - Airframe hours: 5258 - Engines: Continental R680-17 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: National Warplane Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1997, 38 hours before - Departed: ELM, ELMIRA, NY - Destination: D52 - Airport: D52, Geneseo Airport, runway 5, 4,695 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N49830](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49830), registered now, S/N 5203AE, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fairchild PT-19 - Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a) (registry code 3371604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5203AE - Airframe hours: 1763 - Engines: Ranger 6-440 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: National Warplane Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1997, 26 hours before - Departed: ELM, ELMIRA, NY - Destination: D52 - Airport: D52, Geneseo Airport, runway 23, 4,695 × 90 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N64604; age 69; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 325 total, 25 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N49830; age 69; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 373 total, 12 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ROC, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970914047609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970914047609A), Sep 14, 1997: Boeing PT17, Geneseo, NY, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot failed to see and avoid. [privacy data omitted] - [Accident 19970914047379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970914047379A), Sep 14, 1997: Frchld M62A, Geneseo, NY, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot failed to see and avoid. [privacy data omitted] ## Other investigations on N64604 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CEN18LA360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA360), Aug 31, 2018: Stearman A75N1(PT17) (N64604), Kenosha, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failed retaining bolt and cracked backing plate, which resulted in a shift of the brake lining to contact the brake drum and a subsequent wheel lock when the brakes were applied. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.